EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
JIM STEED , MANAGING DIRECTOR , NUTANIX A / NZ
As data continues to grow exponentially , so too does the demand for data centers and their associated infrastructure .
While data centers are critical to the digital-first future we live in , they are traditionally power hungry , consuming enormous amounts of energy .
While this poses an ecological challenge , they also consume large amounts of water , generate significant amounts of e-waste , and have a large carbon footprint when the manufacturing and disposal of electronic components required to operate them are taken into account .
Not only is ecological sustainability in the data center space the right thing to do for the environment , but it also makes sense from a business perspective .
As a result , many enterprises are keenly aware of the environmental footprint of their IT infrastructure . Corporate sustainability initiatives are increasingly looking to drive efficiency , sustainability and ecofriendly practices into their tech operations , and data center operators will find their services being assessed on these environmental criteria .
With this in mind , not only is ecological sustainability in the data center space the right thing to do for the environment , but it also makes sense from a business perspective .
Consumers and regulators alike are increasingly demanding more sustainable solutions , and businesses that prioritize sustainability can potentially gain a competitive edge while also contributing positively to the planet .
In fact , according to Nutanix ’ s fifth annual Enterprise Cloud Index report , all Australian respondents ( 100 %) and an overwhelming 95 % of IT decision makers in Singapore agreed that sustainability is more important to their organization today than it was a year ago . This demonstrates a growing understanding of the urgent need to reconcile the need to implement digital technologies with responsible stewardship of the environment .
Sustainability is now front-of-mind for the vast majority of business leaders – so it must also be a key consideration in any future data center development .
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